28 
WA TORE 
it turns out that he himself is moving in a circle of fal- 
lacies. While denying the specific nature of the cholera 
virus, he explains this latter by the symptoms of the 
disease. Assuming, for the sake of argument, with Dr. 
Chapman, the particular disturbances of function in the 
cord and the sympathetic nerves to which the symptoms 
of cholera are due, how does this bring us nearer to the 
knowledge of what causes these particular disturbances ? 
By saying, or even by showing, that such and such a dis- 
turbance in the function of the cord and sympathetic 
causes such and such a symptom of disease, we are 
not one iota nearer the answer to the question, Why 
did such and such a disturbance take place? what has 
caused it? The answer to this one wants to know, but 
this is not supplied by Dr. Chapman. It is quite true 
that a great many conditions are required to favour the 
outbreak and spread of cholera, e.g. conditions of tem- 
perature, water, atmospheric disturbances, soil, &c., &c., 
but all these conditions may be present without producing 
cholera, or typhoid fever, or any other similar disease. 
Why? Because ¢he actual cause of the disease is absent. 
These two things, viz. secondary conditions favouring the 
outbreak and spread, and ¢he actual cause, must be kept 
separate ; but evidently Dr. Chapman has not arrived at 
this as yet. 
The chapters VIII. to XV. describe the various methods 
of treatment of the disease, and they form the most 
important part of the book. E. KLEIN 
Seaweeds, Shells, and Fossils. 
and B. B. Woodward. 
and Co 
THE object of this book is to give to the young English 
collector a general knowiedge how to set about collecting 
the more common seaweeds, shells, or fossils. 
In the first case the subject is dealt with generally, 
classifying the different seaweeds and stating where each 
is most likely to be found, and, when found, the best way 
to press them and get them ready for the cabinet, the 
most economical way of making or obtaining which is 
given. 
Secondly, shells are dealt with, descriptions and dia- 
grams being added where necessary, together with a table 
of the more important genera, showing the approximate 
number of species belonging to each genus, and their 
distribution. 
Thirdly, and lastly, different localities are pointed out 
where fossils are best found, and the best mode of 
arranging them in the cabinet. A table of the principal 
fossiliferous strata arranged in chronological order, with 
notes on the different formations mentioned in the table, 
and also of the principal divisions of the animal kingdom, 
are added to show the order in which the fossils should 
be arranged. S: 
By Peter Gray, A.B.S., 
(London: Swan Sonnenschein 
The Modernised “Templeton”, or, “The Practical Me- 
chanics Conpanion.” By William Templeton. Revised 
and Modernised by Walter S. Hutton, C.E. (London : 
Crosby Lockwood and Co., 1886.) 
TEMPLETON’S “ Mechanic’s Workshop Companion” is a 
work familiar to most mechanics and draughtsmen, having 
been considered for the last quarter of a century a useful 
book of reference by all connected with the management 
of engineering workshops and kindred trades. Books of 
this description require revising very often, and consider- 
ing the enormous development of the mechanical sciences 
during the last few years no one will wonder on hearing 
that even “Templeton” has to be modernised to keep 
pace with the times. 
The reviser tells us that he has endeavoured to follow 
as far as possible the lines of the original work, at the 
same time bringing all the information up to date. Much 
new matter has been added, giving information on air, 
[May 13, 1886 
gas, water, and steam ; methods of testing steam-engines 
and boilers; turbines and other water motors; the 
strength and weights of material; and miscellaneous in- 
formation too numerous to give in detail. 
The work has for a frontispiece an illustration of the 
fine compound locomotive “ The Marchioness of Stafford,” 
designed by Mr. F. W. Webb, the able locomotive super- 
intendent of the London and North-Western Railway. 
On seeing this we are at once led to imagine that at last 
we have found a book giving recent data on locomotive 
engineering, and likely to fill a want seriously felt by 
those who study that most interesting branch of mechan- 
ical engineering. We are told to “see p. 360,” to which we 
turn hoping to find a section devoted to locomotive work, 
having Mr. Webb’s fine engine as an example of the 
latest advance. We find a third of a page giving the 
bare dimensions of the compound. Even the index makes 
matters no better, for the book contains no locomotive 
data whatever! Considering the thousands of mechanics 
engaged in this class of work, this is a great pity, and 
should be remedied in a future edition. 
An excellent abstract is given of the results of experi- 
ments on riveted joints, with special reference to practical 
work, by Prof. Alexander B. W. Kennedy. This is most 
interesting and useful, and will well repay careful study 
by those connected with the manufacture of soft steel 
boilers and bridges. 
The book contains all the usual tables, embracing every 
subject likely to be required by the intelligent mechanic 
or draughtsman, including extensive practical rules and 
data. Instruction is also given in the rudiments of arith- 
metic, algebra, and trigonometry. New ene 
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 
[Zhe Editor does not hold himself responsible for opinions ex- 
pressed by his correspondents. Neither can he undertake to 
return, or to correspond with the writers of, rejected manu- 
scripts. No notice is taken of anonymous communications. 
[The Editor urgently requests correspondents to keep their letters 
as short as possible. The pressure on his space ts so great 
that it is impossible otherwise to insure the appearance even 
of communications containing interesting and novel facts.] 
Foreign Fishery Boards 
In reference to recent statements in NATURE on this subject, 
it will interest your readers to know that in Italy the Govern- 
ment has constituted a Fishery Board, which, my friend Prof. 
Giglioli, of Florence, tells me, is actively employed in advising 
the executive and in inquiring into the grievances and difficulties 
of fishermen, and the suggestions for improvement of fisheries ; 
it has also recently, at the expense of the Government, taken 
practical measures in the stocking of lakes with fish, and in the 
cultivation of sea-fish. This Commission is a branch of the 
‘Ministry of Agriculture, Industry, and Commerce,” which 
corresponds to our Board of Trade. 7he members of the Fishery 
Commission, with the exception of the first three named below, are 
exclusively scientific men. They are as follows :—The Permanent 
Under-Secretary of State for Agriculture ; the Permanent Under- 
Secretary of State for Commerce ; a distinguished lawyer ; M. 
Minni, of Venice; Dr. Renier, of Chioggia (representing the 
fishermen of this island) ; M. Friedlander, of Comacchio (spe- 
cially acquainted with the peculiar fish-culture of this district) ; 
Prof. Giglioli, Florence: Prof. Targioni-Tozzetti, Florence ; 
Prof. Costa, Naples ; Prof. de Vincentis, Taranto ; Prof. Canes- 
trini, Padua; Prof, Pavesi, Pavia; Prof. Issel, Genoa. 
The Commission meets from time to time in Rome. The 
questions submitted to it are brought forward and referred 
separately to one or two members, who are requested to draw 
up a report on the particular subject thus referred. The report 
may take several months, and involve experiment or research, or 
it may be a simple matter. The report when presented is 
discussed by the whole Commission. The conclusions and 
recommendations which it embodies are modified by vote of the 
majority, and it is obvious from the constitution of the Board 
that the scientific experts have the voting strength. 
The members of the Board or Commission are paid travelling 
